Samantha and Brendan, a Literary Wedding at the George Peabody Library

I am so happy to share Samantha and Brendan’s wedding today!

Samantha and Brendan were married at The George Peabody Library in Baltimore, Maryland on November 11, 2022 – 11/11/22!! The coolest wedding date!

Brendan proposed to Sam in the most special way. Brendan got down on one knee to ask Sam to marry him at Old Town Books in Alexandria, Virginia. He invited their closest friends to be there when he surprised Sam and he gave her his grandmother’s ring. It was such a beautiful and thoughtful proposal!! 

I met Sam many years ago – and it was such a huge honor to celebrate her marriage to Brendan. Sam was a model at my first styled wedding. I remember just being so impressed by Sam; she is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met with incredible wit, sarcasm, and dry humor, and she is breathtakingly beautiful. Sam, Kelsey, and I have stayed in touch ever since, and I was so, so excited when Sam got engaged! 

Samantha began the day getting ready at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore with her bridal party. That morning, Brendan had sent over a special gift: a hand painted picture in memory of their special dog, Beans. It was beautiful and such a special tribute. 

Sam got ready in a beautiful robe that was made from her mother’s wedding gown. It was such a wonderful tribute to her mom and a thoughtful way to include such a special detail. Sam’s maid of honor, Caroline, helped her get dressed and I think everyone was in awe of how beautiful Sam looked. Sam is a stunning bride and she was absolutely glowing. After everyone got dressed, the bridal party was picked up by a limo and went to the Walter’s Art Museum in Baltimore for Sam and Brendan’s first look. 

Samantha and Brendan’s groomsmen came up with a wonderful prank. Brendan’s best man, Yang, dressed up in a Storm Trooper mask and Brendan was told it was time for his first look with Samantha. When he turned around, though, instead of seeing Samantha, he was shocked to see a Storm Trooper. It was such a funny moment! 

But soon after, Brendan got his real first look. It was such a sweet moment when Sam and Brendan saw each other for the first time that day. 

Samantha and Brendan had some quick wedding portraits inside of the beautiful Walter’s Art Museum, and then we did pictures with the bridal party, groomsmen,  wedding party, and family. Then, we walked across the stress to the beautiful George Peabody Library because it was time for Sam and Brendan’s ceremony! 

Before the ceremony, Sam took a moment to be with her dad and brother. Sam had beautiful angels made from her mother’s wedding gown that she gifted to her dad and brother. It was such a sweet moment and a really beautiful way to honor Sam’s mom. 

And then it was ceremony time! Sam and Brendan had a gorgeous ceremony in the stunning George Peabody Library. The Peabody Library is truly breathtaking. It is so beautiful that is doesn’t even look real. It is like you want to reach out and touch what is right in front of you because it is hard to believe it is really that spectacular. The soaring ceilings, rows and rows of alcoves lined with book-filled shelves, and the gracefully draped bistro lights look like something straight out of a movie. It is just spectacular. It was an incredible ceremony and reception space – and it was so perfect for Sam and Brendan.

During the ceremony, Samantha and Brendan shared beautiful personal vows with each other. They were so sweet – and both talked about their love of reading – how Sam has always loved reading and how Brendan discovered the joy of reading through Sam. 

After the wedding ceremony, Sam and Brendan had time for quick portraits in one of the charming book alcoves and then in the reception space. It is just a stunning space and made for an incredible backdrop to their pictures. And their pictures are SO beautiful. Sam and Brendan are so authentically in love and their love for each other is so evident in their pictures. Their photos are gorgeous – and so romantic! 

Sam and Brendan sent library cards in their invitation suite, decorated the tables in their library reception space with books, and had library cards as table numbers. It was so beautiful and such a cool theme carrying through from Brendan’s proposal to Sam in a bookstore to their wedding ceremony in a historic library. As a fellow book-lover and English major, I loved Sam and Brendan’s theme and decor so, so much. They truly thought of everything!

The reception began with Sam and Brendan’s first dance in the middle of the library. After, Brendan’s father and Sam’s father both gave speech, and then dinner was served. Following dinner, Brendan shared a dance with his mom, and then Sam gave a beautiful and touching speech for her father before sharing their father-daughter dance, which was to the same song Sam’s mother and father danced to on their wedding day. Sam shared that her mother and father danced to this song each morning while her mother was sick, and now Sam wanted to share that same dance with her father one more time. It was beautiful and so emotional, and it was such a special gesture. And I don’t think there was a dry eye remaining in the Peabody after. Sam and Brendan truly value and love their family so much, and that love and connection was so apparent throughout the day. 

After their special dances, the dance floor opened for everyone – and this group was ready to party! Especially Sam’s brother! He was on the dance floor all night! I loved seeing so many familiar faces at this wedding and this group really knows how to party. The dance floor was packed all night! It was such a fun night and everyone had a great time.

Throughout the night, guests enjoyed speciality drinks, The Beanie and The Wellness Center, and after the cake cutting, guests were treated to wedding cake and a variety of adorable handheld desserts. It was an evening full of fun and happiness, and the happy energy filled the grand space. 

At the end of the night, Sam and Brendan shared a private last dance surrounded by their friends and family. As guests exited, they were gifted a hand-poured candle in Sam and Brendan’s favorite scent – topped with a Spotify playlist code to keep the party going! Sam is a candlemaker and she made beautiful candles for everyone! (And the smell is absolutely spectacular! It is the perfect scent for fall and winter – so warm and cozy!). It was such a sweet way to say goodbye. 

After their wedding, Sam and Brendan went on an incredible honeymoon in Hawaii!! 

Sam and Brendan, it has been such an honor celebrating with you two. You are two of the nicest people and it is clear that you have such an amazing group of friends and family that love and support you so much. Your wedding was INCREDIBLE – absolutely amazing – and such a special day. I am so, so happy for you two!! Congratulations, Sam and Brendan!! Enjoy some highlights from your beautiful wedding day! 

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